Nov 2014 Bondi Beach Inter-War Study - Waverley Council · Campbell Parade, the focus of this study, is part of the Bondi Beach Conservation Area, and includes several heritage items

BONDI BEACH INTER-WAR HERITAGE STUDY

STAGE 1

November 2014

CONTENTS

1 0 INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 3

1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 3

1.2 Inter-War Period ........................................................................................................................ 3

1.3 Study Purpose ............................................................................................................................ 3

1.4 Study Area .................................................................................................................................. 4

1.5 Methodology .............................................................................................................................. 5

1.6 Study Author .............................................................................................................................. 5

2 0 HISTORICAL INFORMATION ...................................................................................... 5

2.1 Early History ............................................................................................................................... 5

2.2 The Bondi Beach Area in the Inter-War Years ............................................................................ 9

2.3 Development along the Beach front ........................................................................................ 12

3.0 ARCHITECTURE OF THE INTER-WAR YEARS ............................................................. 17

4.0 INTER-WAR COLOUR SCHEMES ............................................................................... 26

4. 0 BONDI BEACHFRONT COLOURS ............................................................................... 29

4.1 Proposed Approach .................................................................................................................. 31

5.0 ASSISTING LANDOWNERS ....................................................................................... 32

6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS.............................................................................................. 33

REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................... 34

Bondi Beach Inter-War Heritage Study

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1 0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

The Inter-War buildings of the Bondi Beach area make an important contribution to

its attractive and distinctive character, a character which has appeal to both visitors

and residents. The buildings also provide a backdrop to the nationally significant

Bondi Beach.

Campbell Parade, the focus of this study, is part of the Bondi Beach Conservation

Area, and includes several heritage items listed as part of the Waverley LEP 2012.

The Waverley Development Control Plan (DCP) also notes several contributory

buildings in the area.

This study is the first stage in a proposed larger study of the Bondi Beach Area. The

study is being undertaken in response to a resolution of Waverley Council made on

17 July 2012 that Council:

1. Commission a preliminary study to determine the range and extent of interwar

buildings of note in the Bondi Beach area with a view to developing a set of DCP

controls to maintain their individual character and to identify, understand and

protect them as a group.

2. Revise the Bondi Beach DCP Part E.2 (Site specific: Bondi Beach) to change

Annexure E2-1 for preferred paint and material treatment of heritage items and

contributory buildings to reflect the colour palette of the art deco and inter-war

period.

3. Hold a workshop for staff, planners and Councillors to educate, inform and allow

them to learn about art deco, inter-war and architecture in Bondi Beach and

throughout Waverley.

4. Develop a resource on Council's website with photos and history of Bondi's

buildings of the art deco and inter-war period.

5. Investigate ways that will encourage and / or ensure retention and restoration of

important facades of art deco and inter-war buildings along Campbell Parade. These

could include a grant system or prize for the restoration of the facades and / or

provision of incentive-based controls in the LEP / DCP similar to the existing heritage

incentive clause, or changes to existing controls in the LEP / DCP.

1.2 Inter-War Period

The Inter-War years are the years from c.1914 to c.1940.

1.3 Study Purpose

The first stage of the study addresses a number of matters in the Council resolution,

the purpose of Stage 1 being to:

• provide a preliminary history of the Bondi Beach area in order to understand

the historical context of the Inter-War development of the area, in particular

the Campbell Parade strip;

• provide general information on the architecture of the Inter-War period;

• determine the extent of Inter-War buildings along Campbell Parade;


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• provide information on typical colour palettes of the Inter-War period;

• propose an approach to colour schemes for buildings along Campbell

Parade;

• make recommendations to enhance the character of the area and,

• assist building owners to maintain and upgrade buildings.

Future studies can provide more detail of the historical development of the Bondi

Beach area and investigate the area beyond Campbell Parade. These studies can also

investigate options for ways to encourage the retention and restoration of

important Inter-War facades.

1.4 Study Area

The study area for Stage 1 of the Bondi Beach Inter-War study, the subject of this

report, is generally the buildings immediately facing Bondi Beach. Most of the

buildings are in Campbell Parade, with a small number in Beach Road, Warners

Avenue, Ramsgate Avenue and Brighton Boulevard.

The study area for the broader study is proposed to include much of the Bondi

Beach Urban Conservation Area and the area behind Campbell Parade. This area has

been selected because it includes the commercial area of Bondi Beach, has a

relatively close association with the beach, and contains a considerable number of

Inter-War buildings.

Figure 1: The Study Area for the Stage 1 and broader study


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1.5 Methodology

The history is intended to provide a broad historical context for the Inter-War

development at Bondi Beach. It has been prepared using readily available sources.

The range and extent of Inter-War buildings has been determined through an

inspection of Waverley Council records and through visual inspections undertaken in

late 2013 early 2014.

An investigation of colour schemes used in the Inter-War period has been

undertaken to help provide a suitable palette of colours. It was beyond the scope of

the Study to undertake paint scrapes in order to determine the original colours of

buildings.

This Study is anticipated to be the first stage of a larger project which expands the

study area beyond the immediate beachfront.

1.6 Study Author

The study has been prepared by the Waverley Council Shaping Waverley Sub-

program, part of the Futures Waverley Program.

2 0 HISTORICAL INFORMATION

2.1 Early History

Bondi has a rich pre and post European settlement history. It is understood that the

Waverley area was occupied by the Gadigal people. It is thought that Indigenous

use of the area was primarily along the coastline and around creeks and lagoons

where there was an abundant source of food.

It has been established that Bondi Beach was the location of an open campsite(s)

and burial place. Middens and engravings in sandstone shelters and caves have

been found on the north and south headlands. In 1907 thousands of ‘backed-

artefacts’, a range of relatively small and finely made tools, were discovered at

Bondi Beach. These finds demonstrate that potentially aboriginal ‘workshops’ were

held on the site, where chips, splinters and points for insertion into spears and for

other purposes were manufactured.

Figure 2: Bondi Beach Backed Artefacts

Source: Australian Museum

Land was granted in the Bondi Beach area in the early days of the colony. The area

around Bondi Beach was granted in 1809 to William Roberts, 200 acres in the Bondi


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Beach basin area, and to John Hurd, 30 acres including the Ben Buckler headland

(Figure 3). Hurd’s land appears to have remained unsettled for a considerable time,

while Roberts’ land was used for agricultural purposes.

Figure 3: Parish Map c.1830

Source: NSW Land and Property Information

Bondi Beach and most of Campbell Parade are located on land encompassed by the

original grant to William Roberts. From the middle of the nineteenth century Bondi

Beach, although on private land, started to become popular with the public for

picnics and other recreational activities. As a result of community agitation an area

of just over 10 hectares was resumed by the NSW Government and dedicated as a

public reserve in 1882.

The southern and the majority of the northern end of Campbell Parade is located on

Roberts’ land with part of the northern end is within the original grant to William

Hurd. The southern end of Campbell Parade was previously called Waverley Street

and Bondi Road, while the northern end was originally called Military Road.


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Figure 4: Bondi Beach 1875 – looking to Ben Buckler Point

Source: Waverley Library

In 1880, the Cliff House Hotel opened at the southern end of Campbell Parade to

serve day trippers to the beach, thus beginning a pattern of beach orientated

buildings along the landward side of Campbell Parade.

Figure 5: Parish Map 1900 showing early streets in Roberts’ and Hurd’s grants. The location

of the Cliff House Hotel is indicated with a red star

Source: NSW Land and Property Information


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Figure 6: 1866 Reuss subdivision plan showing the line of Campbell Parade.

Source: National Library of Australia

Figure 7: Plan of the Borough of Waverley, Pollitzer, 1887.



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A tram service to Bondi Beach terminating near Hall Street began in 1884. In 1911,

the tram line was extended along Campbell Parade to a new terminus at North

Bondi (the location of the present day bus terminus).

Figure 8: Tram routes to Bondi Beach with the location of the Hall Street tram terminus

indicated

2.2 The Bondi Beach Area in the Inter-War Years

The Inter-War years saw considerable growth in the Municipality of Waverley. This

was the result of several factors, including the availability of public transport and

other services, acute post-war housing shortages, and development opportunity.

Subdivision of land provided lots for new developments, such as the 1921

subdivision of the land between Francis Street and Sir Thomas Mitchell Road to

create “business sites” in Campbell Parade (Figure 9).

Figure 9: Cliff House Estate subdivision, 1921


Hall Street tram terminus


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Subdivision advertisements extolled the virtues of Bondi Beach, a 1920 auction

notice for the Bondi Beach Estate stating:

Real estate at Bondi with its splendid beach is always in demand – it is the

home of thousands of people who desire the congenial climate that Bondi

offers, daily visitors number millions every year, values are always going up,

the demand is greater every day – we offer you 15 of the best and picked

sites at Bondi – each has unlimited prospective value – land in this position

overlooking the beach cannot be duplicated – every lot suitable for business,

residential or flat properties – don’t fail to buy a lot now and reap big

profits.1

Flats became increasingly popular during the Inter-War years, Building magazine of

1920 stating:

Flats had come, at least to the city, and it is no use fighting against them if

we have to take into consideration the financial aspect of building and land

as well as cost and convenience of upkeep.... A matter of still greater

importance is the fact that servants, in all probability, will never again be

available in such numbers as they were in the past for private home life....2

The following table, based on 1911, 1921 and 1933 Census data, illustrates the

dramatic increase in the number of dwellings in Waverley during the Inter-War

Years. The dramatic increase in the number of flats is especially evident and the

related increase in rented dwellings.

Population

Number of dwellings

Owned

Rented

Houses

Flats

Total

1911 19,831 4,211

1921 36,797 6761 647 7,799 33% 65%

1933 55,902 9306 4380 13,686 26% 72%

Flats were built as speculative financial ventures and, until the advent of Company

title system, were often let to tenants rather than being lived in by owners. The

building boom of the 1920s saw property prices rise sharply, for example, from 1923

to 1926 land values in the Municipality of Waverley rose an average of 37 per cent.

Company title was developed to provide for the separate ownership of apartments.

For the first time, this allowed people to buy an apartment rather than a house with

the majority of company title home units set up in the 1920s and 1930s. Greater

opportunity for owner occupancy was introduced with the advent of the strata title

system in 1961, as building of unit blocks became more popular. The strata title

system enabled buyers a Torrens title deed as they would have received if they has

bought a free-standing home.

Development boomed in the Bondi basin and headland areas between the two

World Wars with the southern end of Campbell Parade developing earlier than the

northern end.

1 Bondi Beach Estate Auction Notice 20 March 1920

2 “Flats: Their Development and Advantages”, Building, 11 December 1920


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During the 1920s Waverley Municipal Council undertook a range of improvements at

Bondi Beach, the most significant being the construction of the Bondi Pavilion, which

opened in 1929. The crowd of onlookers was estimated at 160,000 to 200,000. The

popularity of Bondi grew in the 1930s, with the beach drawing not only Sydneysiders

but also people from elsewhere in Australia and overseas. Advertising literature of

the 1930s referred to Bondi Beach as the “Playground of the Pacific”.3

A brochure produced by Waverley Municipal Council in 1929 promoting the newly

completed Bondi Pavilion and the park beautification works, noted that the variety

of accommodation available for visitors to Bondi included furnished flats and

cottages: “two of the most modern and best appointed seaside hotels on the coast

of New South Wales” (the Astra and the Bondi Hotel); and private hotels, “to those

who prefer private hotels, up-to-date favourably situated premises are available at a

tariff commensurate with the service” (an example being the Tareleton Hotel, now

Bondi Backpackers).4

Local real estate agents formed the Bondi Publicity League in 1930 for the purpose

of advertising the merits of Bondi Beach by such means as carnivals, processions,

posters and car stickers with the slogan “Live in Bondi where life is better”. The

League was still in operation in 1959.5

As a result of new development guest hotels, boarding houses, two and three storey

flats clustered close to the beach with cottages and semi-detached houses filling the

gaps and located in the basin behind.

By the late 1930’s a wall of hotels, guest houses and flats extended the length of

Campbell Parade. The buildings displayed a variety of architectural styles and the

largely uninterrupted street frontage formed a backdrop to Bondi Beach.

Figure 10: Bondi Beach 1929

3 National Heritage List, Bondi Beach, http://www.environment.gov.au/node/19634, accessed 15

November 2013 4 Waverley Local Studies Library

5 B.T. Dowd, The History of the Waverley Municipal District, Municipality of Waverley, 1959, p 245


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Source: State Library of NSW

Figure 11: Buildings at the southern end of Campbell Parade 1929


Figure 12: The northern end of Campbell Parade c.1920. The building in the foreground has

been demolished. Bondi Public School can be seen in the background


2.3 Development along the Beach front

In order to provide an understanding of the history of development along Campbell

Parade the date of construction of the Inter-War buildings along the beachfront has


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been researched in some detail. Building dates have been determined from a variety

of resources as described below.

• Heritage impact statements and heritage studies, which had suitable

histories, were used in the first instance to date buildings.

• Waverley Council’s historic building register files were then researched. The

date shown of the building is the year when the application was lodged. The

building may have been built in the following year or designed in the

previous year/s. Building Register files were not available for every property.

• Sands Sydney Directory was used when Building Register files were not

available for a property. The building date shown in the table below is the

year prior to the first time the property is listed in Sands as the building

would most likely have been present the year prior to its listing.

• A photograph taken in December 1929 shows some of the buildings at the

southern end of Campbell Parade between Lamrock Avenue and Hall Street.

This photo was used to determine if buildings were present in 1929. Used in

conjunction with Sands Sydney Directory it was able to be determined that

the buildings would have been constructed sometime between 1915 and

1928 (the year prior to the photo) as no buildings are shown for Campbell

Parade in the Sands Sydney Directory of 1915.

• The book, The History of the Waverley Municipal District by B. T. Dowd, 1959

was used to date some buildings, as Dowd’s book is well researched.

• The 1943 aerial photograph of Sydney was used for buildings constructed

after Sands Sydney Directory ceased publication, the last edition being

1932/33. These buildings are described in the table below dating from the

1930s, however some may have been constructed in 1941 or 1942.

• Visual inspection was used as a means to date properties which were clearly

built Post WW2. These are usually modern buildings which replaced earlier

buildings.

WESTERN SIDE

No. Street Name Date Source

(Side street: Francis Street)

2-8 Campbell Pde 1934

1935

addition

Heritage

Assessment

BR 35/319

10-12 Campbell Pde 1952 BR 52/247

14-18 Campbell Pde 1927 BR 27/3760

20-26 Campbell Pde Remola Mansions 1923 BR 23/880

28-30 Campbell Pde Cenira Mansions 1924 Sands 1925

32 Campbell Pde Arnotts Flats 1923 Sands 1924

34 Campbell Pde Astra Hotel 1926 Dowd p 283

(Side street: Sir Thomas Mitchell Drive)

36 Campbell Pde Post WW2 Visual

inspection

38-48 Campbell Pde Cairo Mansions 1924 Sands 1925

50-54 Campbell Pde Walhalla Court 1930s 1943 aerial

photograph

56 Campbell Pde 1930s 1943 aerial


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photograph


photograph

64-68

Campbell Pde Post WW2 Visual

inspection

70 Campbell Pde The Empire 1928 Sands

(Side street: Lamrock Avenue)

72-76 Campbell Pde Grenfell Mansions

Majestic Mansions

1916 Sands 1917


inspection

80 Campbell Pde Oceanic Mansions 1918 Sands 1919

82 Campbell Pde Government

Savings Bank

1927 Sands 1928

Dowd p 260

84-88 Campbell Pde Daphne Flats 1923 Sands

90-94 Campbell Pde Ascot Flats 1921 Sands

96 Campbell Pde Ozone Flats 1921 Sands

102-106 Campbell Pde Biltmore Private

Hotel

Sometime

between

1915 and

1928

Sands and

1929

photograph

108 Campbell Pde Watalia Chambers Post WW2 Visual

inspection –

modern

building

112-116 Campbell Pde Britannic Flats Post WW2 Visual

inspection –

modern

building

118-122 Campbell Pde Ravesi’s 1914 Date on

building

(Side street: Hall Street)

124 Campbell Pde Sometime

between

1915 and

1928

Sands and

1929

photograph


inspection

128-132 Campbell Pde Post WW2 Visual

inspection

134-138 Campbell Pde Eurangi Flats c.19206 Sands

140-142 Campbell Pde Hazel Flats 1920 Sands 1921

146-148 Campbell Pde Elaine Flats 1922 Sands 1923


inspection

6 The Sunday Times of 12 September 1920 makes references to a Mrs Smith living at Eurangi Flats,

Campbell Parade, Bondi.


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(Side street: Roscoe Street)


inspection


inspection

178A Campbell Pde Bondi Hotel 1920 Dowd p 281

(Side street: Curlewis Street)

180 – 186 Campbell Pde Post WW2 Visual

inspection

(Side street: Beach Road)

1 Beach Road 1925 BR 25/2141

Bondi Beach Public

School

1923

New wing

1932

Dowd p 201

Dowd p 201

(Side street: Warners Avenue)

35 Ramsgate Ave 1938 BR 38/114

140 Warners Ave After 1940 Visual

inspection

142 Warners Ave 1930s 1943 aerial

photograph


photograph


photograph


photograph


photograph


photograph


photograph


inspection

236 Campbell Pde Belmont Court

Flats

1930 1931 Sands

238 Campbell Pde Fairlawn Flats 1930 1931 Sands


photograph


photograph

244 Campbell Pde 1938 BR 38/294

246-248 Campbell Pde 1934 BR 34/23

250 Campbell Pde Rose Bay Surf Club 1927 BR 27/3730


photograph


photograph

(Side street: Ramsgate Avenue)


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110-114 Ramsgate Ave 1930s 1943 aerial

photograph

264-268 Campbell Pde Post WW2 1943 aerial

photograph

270 Campbell Pde 1939 BR 39/152


photograph


photograph


inspection


inspection


inspection

282 Campbell Pde Lurline 1930s 1943 aerial

photograph


inspection

(Side street: Brighton Boulevard)

286-294 Campbell Pde 1937 BR 37/150

Substation 1937 BR 37/232


inspection


inspection

300 Campbell Pde Between

1931 and

1943

1932 Sands

and 1943 aerial

photograph

(Side street: Hastings Parade)

EASTERN SIDE

(Side street: Hastings Parade)


inspection

92-96 Brighton Blvde 1930s 1943 aerial

photograph

99 Brighton Blvde Wongalea 1934 BR 34/163

Most of the early development of Campbell Parade was at the southern end, with

later development generally occurring at the northern end of Campbell Parade

(Figure 13). In the 1920s the early buildings in Bondi Beach village were of the more

traditional designs but as the Inter-War years progressed, architectural designs

reflecting Art Deco and modern Functionalist designs became more popular.

In the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s redevelopment of individual or amalgamated sites did

not occur at the same scale as in other coastal suburbs. In more recent decades,

statutory planning controls have sought to retain the predominant interwar

character.


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Figure 13: Date of building map

3.0 ARCHITECTURE OF THE INTER-WAR YEARS

Australian architecture in the Inter-War period was highly eclectic and generally

rather conservative. The period was characterised by a profusion of styles which

drew their influence from a wide range of sources. Of particular significance was the

cultural influence of the United States of America which supplemented the


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continuing influences from England. Buildings often did not display a clear

expression of a single style and it is common for buildings of the Inter-War period to

display features from more than one style.

The buildings along Campbell Parade display a range of Inter-War architectural

styles. The buildings at the southern end of Campbell Parade were generally built

between 1915 and 1928, earlier than the buildings at the northern end of Campbell

Parade which were generally built in the 1930s and early 1940s. The date of

construction is reflected in the architectural style of the buildings.

Some of the earlier buildings, such as Grenfell Mansions, No. 72–76 Campbell Parade

(Figure 14), which was built in 1916, are more typical of the Arts and Crafts styles

continuing from the Federation period. It may be that some buildings were designed

some time prior to when they were built and so could reflect the fashions of an

earlier time.

The Arts and Crafts style was unpretentious and informal, and employing traditional

materials and details which evoke a feeling of comfortable familiarity.

The Federation period is from the years from 1890 to 1915 and is defined by the

proclamation of the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January 1901. During this

period Australia established itself as a nation with its own character. Federation

architecture, primarily in the residential building stock, is expressive of this sense of

pride. Australiana themes are sometimes incorporated, and the use of the verandah

and larger window openings in response to setting and the climate are utilised.

Figure 14: Grenfell Mansions, No. 72- 76 Campbell Parade.

The earlier buildings feature a greater amount of applied decorative detail, as can be

seen on Cairo Mansions, No. 38 - 48 Campbell Parade, which is built in the Inter-War

Free Classical style (Figure 15). Buildings in the Free Classical style display variations


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of classical elements in original designs not bounded by the rigours of academic

classicism. Cairo Mansions features pilastered columns with elaborately moulded

capitals and a bracketed cornice to the parapet. (The slightly set back top floor is a

modern addition.)

Figure 15: Cairo Mansions, No. 72- 76 Campbell Parade

Another example of the Inter-War Free Classical style is the former bank building at

No. 82 Campbell Parade (Figure 16). This building has historic interest as a banking

premises associated with the early years of Bondi Beach's popularity. The building

has a symmetrical fully rendered facade with decorative mouldings. The original top

three floors feature tall, pilastered columns, an entablature, and a heavy bracketed

cornice to the parapet above.

Figure 16: Former bank building, No. 82 Campbell Parade


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The use of a mixture of Inter-War styles in a single building is evident at No. 14-18

Campbell Parade (Figures 17 and 18). Although much of the original detail has been

removed and the original face brickwork front wall has been rendered and painted,

the form of the original building is still present. The building application drawing

shows how the facade might have originally appeared (Figure 16). The Inter-War Old

English elements of the building such as the pitched tiled roof and original

decorative face brickwork are a reflection of nostalgic ties to the “mother country”.

The symmetry of the front facade is typical of the Inter-War Georgian Revival style.

Figure 17: No. 14 - 18 Campbell Parade

Figure 18: The original facade of No. 14 - 18 Campbell Parade


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Bondi Beach Public School is an example of the Inter-War Georgian Revival style

(Figure 19). It has a symmetrical design around a classical central portico, which has

stone Tuscan style columns supporting the entablature above. The gable above the

portico breaks up the long line of the pitched and tiled roof.

Figure 19: Bondi Beach Public School

Rose Bay Surf Club, built in 1927 and designed by Joseland and Gilling Architects, is

an example of the Inter-War Mediterranean style. The building originally featured an

arched colonnade centred on the front facade which now unfortunately has been

lost.

Figure 20: The original facade of Rose Bay Surf Club, No. 250 Campbell Parade

Figure 21: The existing facade of Rose Bay Surf Club, No. 250 Campbell Parade


22

Elements of both the Inter-War Stripped Classical style and the Inter-War

Functionalist style can be seen at No. 50-54 Campbell Parade (Figure 22). The

symmetrical composition, simplified classical motifs (in this case columns and

capitals) are typical of the Inter-War Stripped Classical, while the door surround is

Inter-War Art Deco in influence, and the horizontal stripped recesses show Inter-

War Functionalist influence.

Figure 22: No. 50- 54 Campbell Parade

The Inter-War Art Deco style, the embodiment of dynamic progress and faith in

modern technology, was influential in the Inter-War years. Art Deco buildings

feature strong vertical or horizontal emphasis and streamlined effects. The style was

self-consciously “modern” and characterised by clean, geometric and elegant lines.

Its influence can be seen in the design for No. 246 – 248 Campbell Parade built

c.1934 (Figure 23).

Figure 23: The drawing of the original facade No. 246 – 248 Campbell Parade, 1934

Figure 24: Existing facade No. 246 – 248 Campbell Parade


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Another example of the Art Deco style is No. 270 Campbell Parade, designed in 1939

by the architect F.G. Leslie Allen (Figure 25). The Art Deco influence is clearly evident

in forthright vertical articulation and geometric shapes of the decorative face

brickwork of the Campbell Parade facade.

Figure 25: 270 Campbell Parade 1939 F.G. Leslie Allen, Architect

Another Inter-War style commonly used was the modern Functionalist style. The

Inter-War Functionalist style was influenced by modern European architecture and

typically has an asymmetrical massing of simple geometric shapes, clean lines, and

dissociation from styles of the past. The buildings at the northern end of Campbell

Parade displaying motifs of Inter-War Functionalist style include No. 274 Campbell

Parade (Figure 26) and No. 35 Ramsgate Avenue, designed by the architect G. N.

Kenworthy in 1938 (Figure 27), have little applied decorative detail, in contrast to

the buildings at the southern end of Campbell Parade. The decorative details are

generally very much simpler and are incorporated into the building form.

Figure 26: No. 274 Campbell Parade


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Figure 27: No. 35 Ramsgate Avenue

Also seen in the Bondi beach area, are Inter-War Spanish Mission style buildings,

although there are few along the beachfront. A romantic, evocative style derived

from designs common in California this style was made fashionable by movies,

magazines and other popular media from America. Inter-War Spanish Mission styles

commonly feature textured wall surfaces, triple arches, terracotta tiles, and

concentrated areas of elaborate ornamentation contrast with plain surfaces (Figures

28 and 29).

Figure 28: No. 7 Ramsgate Avenue


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Figure 29: The original design for the front facade of No. 142 Warners Avenue from the

plans by J A Dobson Architect, 1936

Figure 30: Existing facade of No. 142 Warners Avenue


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4.0 INTER-WAR COLOUR SCHEMES

The colour schemes of buildings in the Inter-War period reflected the architectural

style of their building. Typically, Inter-War buildings had relatively simple colour

schemes when compared with the variation in colours found in earlier Victorian and

Federation buildings. 7

The earlier Inter-War buildings at the southern end of Campbell Parade were

generally rendered and painted, while the 1930s buildings at the northern end of

Campbell Parade often had face brickwork external walls with only the timber

joinery being painted.

Some buildings however were not rendered or painted, relying on the natural

colours of building materials and decorative effects resulting from embellishment

and shadows.

As can be seen in the 1929 photograph of the southern end of Campbell Parade

(Figures 11), the original buildings had light wall colours with architectural features

highlighted in a dark colour. The window sashes were painted both dark and light

colours, the approach seeming to be to provide a contrast with the adjoining colour.

Architectural features could also be painted a different colour to the main wall

colour without a high degree of contrast.

Figure 31: Photograph of buildings at the southern end of Campbell Parade, 1929.


7 Peter Cuffley, Houses of the 20s and 30s, Five Mile Press 1989, p188


27

Creams buff, brown, chocolate, bronze green, and dark green popular in the

beginning years of the twentieth century continued their popularity in the Inter-War

years.8 The paint manufacturers Lewis Berger and Sons stating in the 1930s that with

regard to bungalows: “It is obvious that care should be taken to avoid the choice of

colours that will conflict with neighbouring home. The choice of Deep Green and

White or Cream and Bungalow Brown is reasonably sure to provide against the

clashing of colours, and at the same time provide for the desired individual effect”.9

The conservative bungalow colour schemes carried across to many flat buildings.

The later Inter-War buildings at the northern end of Campbell Parade are generally

face brickwork with painted timberwork. Unlike the more decorative buildings of the

1920s, the later buildings had simpler architectural detail which was integrated with

the design of the building rather than being applied. These buildings have fewer

colours and finishes and simpler and less effusive detailing. The colour schemes for

these buildings are very simple, painted elements generally being the windows,

front doors, building name (if used), and street numbers. The simplicity of the colour

schemes is demonstrated by the picture in an Inter-War colour card for Zinolin

Paints (Figure 33).

8 Peter Cuffley, Houses of the 20s and 30s, Five Mile Press 1989, p185

9 Colour Schemes for Australian Homes, Lewis Berger and Sons, 1930s

Figure 32: Advertisement

for “Majora” paint

Source: How to Use Enamel

Lacquer Paint, by E. Knight


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Figure 33: Colour scheme example

Source: Zinolin Durable Gloss Paint colour card

Paint charts of the Inter-War years demonstrate the colours which were available at

this time. An example paint colour card from the 1920s and 1930s is illustrated

below.

Figure 34: Counter Reference Book of Bergers Paints and Varnishes


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4. 0 BONDI BEACHFRONT COLOURS

A guide for potential colours schemes for the buildings along Campbell Parade and

Warners Avenue which address Bondi Beach will help ensure that the unique

identity of Bondi Beach village is enhanced and that an attractive backdrop is

provided to Bondi Beach. It can also help stimulate cultural tourism as has been

experienced in other places, such as Napier in New Zealand, where the unique

attributes of the area are promoted to a wider audience.

In 1988 Council adopted a colour palette for the buildings along Campbell Parade,

the sand and sea colours reflecting beachside character of the area. Council’s

current controls offer four alternative colour schemes which embrace a broader

range of colours and richer more saturated hues. Colours in the Bondi beachfront

area used previously reflected individual tastes, fashions current at the time, and

council controls.

Figure 35: Example of an exterior colour schemes used in Napier, New Zealand

Source: The Colours of Napier. The Colourful Buildings of The Art Deco City

Figure 36: Example of an exterior colour schemes used in Napier, New Zealand

Source: The Colours of Napier. The Colourful Buildings of The Art Deco City


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Figures 37, 38, 39:

Examples of an exterior

colour schemes used in

Napier, New Zealand

Source: The Colours of

Napier. The Colourful

Buildings of The Art Deco

City


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4.1 Proposed Approach

The proposed objectives for the colours of buildings along Campbell Parade are to:

• emphasise the unique identity for the area;

• respect the heritage values of the area and of individual buildings;

• create a streetscape of warmth, colour and vibrancy;

• provide a strong built backdrop for Bondi Beach; and

• enhance the design quality of the area.

These objectives can be achieved in a variety of ways, including by:

• using lighter colours for the main wall colour as this allows shadows to be

more easily read, thereby increasing visual interest;

• drawing attention to decorative areas through use of different colours

and/or tones;

• using polychromatic colour schemes for more decorative buildings, rather

not a single colour;

• ensuring colours schemes are individual for each building;

• ensuring a proposed colour scheme is compatible with its neighbours

• using richer colours to highlight architectural features; and

• preserving or reinstating face brick facades when supported by heritage

values.

Original colour schemes of buildings can be determined through an investigation of

the existing building fabric (by a heritage professional with appropriate experience).

The original colour schemes could be used or, alternatively, could be interpreted in

a way which highlights the attractive features of a building and contributes to the

consistent appear of the beachfront. It is not necessary to reproduce the original

colours.

Colour schemes can be based on early photographs which, while black and white,

show the architectural elements highlighted and the shade of the colours (ie how

light or dark). The early photographs show that the main wall colours were light with

darker colours used to highlight architectural features and decorative details.

Further information in regards to colour schemes can be sourced through the State

Library of NSW, Sydney Living Museum Caroline Simpson Research Library and

Research Collection, journals published through the Inter-War period such as the

‘Australian Home Beautiful’ and trade journals.

Buildings which have face brickwork facades should retain the face brickwork. The

timberwork should be painted a suitable colour such as a light cream/off white.

The reinstatement of missing original architectural features, particularly for heritage

listed buildings, is encouraged.

While colour schemes do not have to be original, they should be appropriate to the

period and style of the individual building.

A range of colours can be used and should be based on colours typical of the Inter-

War period as shown in Section 3 of this study. These colours should not be

considered definitive but rather are provided for guidance in the development of

colour schemes appropriate for each building.

Colours schemes should be prepared in consultation with Council Heritage Officers.


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New buildings inserted into the beachfront and existing buildings outside the Inter-

War period should have colour schemes compatible with the approach outlined

above.

5.0 ASSISTING LANDOWNERS

5.1 Background

Council is committed to protecting places of heritage significance for current and

future generations. Maintaining and enhancing a heritage building can positively

contribute to the cultural significance of the area. These places connect us to our

heritage and our identity, and contribute to the character of the area.

Heritage can also contribute to the economic benefit of a property. There is growing

evidence to support the view that heritage can have positive impact on property

values. Heritage properties are often sought after by the market - people purchase

heritage buildings because they like them. This may be because of character, or

because they have wonderful settings.

5.2 Council Assistance

Council fosters an appreciation of our heritage by encouraging and assisting owners

of local heritage items, and of buildings in conservation areas, to conserve their

properties. There are several opportunities for Council and property owners to work

together to preserve the area’s heritage.

Council advice;

Council has in-house heritage experts that can help assist landowners with how to

approach work on heritage buildings. The heritage experts can provide heritage

advice over the phone or can provide heritage advice at face-to-face meetings.

Council's heritage advisor can help owners undertaking renovation work to help

maintain the character and style of their properties and surrounds. Advice given is

general and should be considered as the starting point for more extensive work that

may require an architect, builder or designer. This service can potentially help

prevent problems, save costs and avoid delays in the development approval process.

Local Heritage Incentives Scheme;

To demonstrate its commitment to the heritage of the region and to assist owners in

conserving and maintaining local heritage places it is proposed that a ‘Local Heritage

Incentives Grants Scheme’ be prepared. The Grant Scheme would offer a monetary

fund set aside by Council to provide subsidies for owners for work associated with

the conservation of their local heritage places.

Guideline sheets;

Guideline sheets are in the process of being prepared to help educate and promote

the area’s history. Guideline sheets will address the heritage process, architectural

styles and features, and technicalities of maintaining heritage buildings.


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6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

1. That existing heritage inventory sheets be reviewed, in light of the insight

gained from this study, and updated as required.

2. That new inventory sheets, such as for the Bondi Beach Urban Conservation

area, be informed by the study.

3. That guideline sheets be prepared to inform landowners of the

opportunities and constraints when working on heritage buildings, and to

clarify the process for gaining heritage approval.

4. That the Waverley Development Control Plan 2012, be reviewed, to further

define the key attributes of heritage buildings, and to give greater

articulation to the colour scheme for Bondi Beach.

5. That Schedule 5 of the Waverley Local Environmental Plan 2012 be reviewed

to ascertain if any items should be added or deleted.


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REFERENCES

Books

Richard Apperley, Robert Irvine and Peter Reynolds, ‘A Pictorial Guide to Identifying

Australian Architecture Styles and Terms from 1788 to the Present’, Angus and

Robertson, 1994

B.T. Dowd, ‘The History of the Waverley Municipal District’, Municipality of

Waverley, 1959

Government Architect’s Office, ‘Noah’s Backpackers, Bondi Beach, Heritage

Assessment’, Draft 28 May 2008

Jill Roe (ed), Twentieth Century Sydney, ‘Studies in Urban and Social History’, Hale

and Iremonger, 1980.

Lewis Berger and Sons, ‘Counter Reference Book’, 1923

Lewis Berger and Sons, ‘Counter Reference Book’, 1930s

Peter Shaw,’ Art Deco Napier’, Art Deco Trust, 2008

Studies

Australian Museum, ‘Aboriginal workshops on the Coast of New South Wales’,

Austarlian Museum, 1975

Perumal Murphy Wu, ‘Waverley Heritage Study Volume 2.’ Built Heritage Report,

1993

Register of the National Estate

Robertson and Hindmarsh, ‘Housing in New South Wales Between the Wars.’

Volume 1, National Trust of Australia (NSW), 1996.

Council records

Council Building Register files

Collection of digital copies of Deposited Plans.

Collection of digital copies of Building Register drawings.

Other

Art Deco Trust, ‘The Colours of Napier. The Colourful Buildings of The Art Deco City’,

Art Deco Trust, Napier, New Zealand

Nov 2014 Bondi Beach Inter-War Study - Waverley Council · Campbell Parade, the focus of this study, is part of the Bondi Beach Conservation Area, and includes several heritage items

Documents